Paper based single cup brewing

ABSTRACT

A single cup portion pack is disclosed. The single cup portion pack is made out of a paper material. The present invention may further include a filter within the cup. The filter may contain the coffee to be brewed. The filter of the present invention may be made of a paper material. The present invention may further include a lid. The lid may be sealed onto the cup. The lid may be made of a paper material.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/823,164, filed May 10, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to single cup brewing and, more particularly, to a paper based single cup brewing device.

K-Cup® and Vue® portion packs are used with Keurig® or other single cup brewing systems to brew a cup of coffee, tea or hot chocolate. Each K-Cup® is a plastic container with a coffee filter inside. Ground coffee beans are packed in the K-Cup® and sealed air-tight with a combination plastic and foil lid. When the K-Cup® is placed in a Keurig® brewer, the brewer punctures the foil lid and the bottom of the K-Cup® and forces hot water under pressure through the K-Cup® and into a mug. However, since the K-Cup® is made from plastic and aluminum foil, the K-Cup is not biodegradable and is not environmentally friendly.

As can be seen, there is a need for an environmentally friendly single cup brewing device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a single cup portion pack comprises: a cup comprising an internal portion and a rim forming an opening leading into the internal portion, wherein the cup is made of paper based material; a coffee filter attached to the rim of the cup and disposed within the internal portion, wherein the filter is made of a paper based material; and a lid sealed to the rim of the cup covering the opening, thereby sealing the coffee filter within the internal portion, wherein the lid is made of a paper based material.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a section view of the present invention taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention may include a single cup portion pack made of compostable paper. The present invention may be used for brewing a single cup of coffee and other hot beverages using either a Keurig® or other single cup brewing machines. The other hot beverages may include, but are not limited to, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and the like.

The present invention uses biodegradable materials making the single cup portion pack more eco-friendly than the traditional K-Cups® that are made of plastic and foil. By using paper as the main components, instead of plastic, aluminum foil and a paper filter, the present invention may be completely recyclable. The present invention may use fully compostable and recyclable materials to make the cup, the filter and the lid.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, the present invention may include a cup 10. The cup 10 may be made out of a paper material. The cup 10 includes an internal portion and a rim forming an opening leading into the internal portion. The present invention may further include a filter 12 within the internal portion the cup 10. The filter 12 may contain the coffee 16 to be brewed. The filter 12 of the present invention may be made of a paper material. The present invention may further include a lid 14. The lid 14 may be sealed onto the cup 10 by applying heat. The lid 14 may be made of a paper material.

The cup 10 and filter 12 may be used for dispensing single cups of coffee and other hot beverages. The edge of the filter 12 may also be fused between the rim of the cup 10 and the lid 14. While in use, the lid 14 and the bottom of the cup 10 may be punctured and hot water may pass through the ground coffee grains 16 within the filter 12. In certain embodiments, each individual single cup portion pack may be sealed within a plastic cover 22 to maintain freshness of the coffee 16. Alternatively, a plurality of the single cup portion packs may be sealed within a plastic cover 22 to maintain freshness of the coffee 16. Nitrogen gas 20 may be injected within eh plastic cover 22 to further maintain freshness.

A method of making the present invention may include the following. The cup 10 and lid 14 may be manufactured from the same paper based materials. The filter 12 is inserted into the cup 10 and the desired beverage components (coffee, tea, hot chocolate) is dispensed in amounts enough to brew a single cup. The edges of the filter 12 cover the rim of the cup 10 and act as the sealant that may seal the lid tightly onto the cup.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. Insert the cup 10 into brewing machine 18. Holes are then punctured on the top (lid) and bottom of cup 10. Immediately, the containments are saturated by steam followed by boiling water that flows through the desired containments. The result is collected by a mug that is placed under the cup 10.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A single cup portion pack comprising: a cup comprising an internal portion and a rim forming an opening leading into the internal portion, wherein the cup is made of paper based material; a coffee filter disposed within the internal portion, wherein the filter is made of a paper based material; and a lid sealed to the rim of the cup covering the opening, thereby sealing the coffee filter within the internal portion, wherein the lid is made of a paper based material.
 2. The single cup portion pack of claim 1, wherein the coffee filter is attached to the rim of the cup.
 3. The single cup portion pack of claim 2, wherein the top of the coffee filter comprises an edge covering the rim of the cup.
 4. The single cup portion pack, further comprising a plastic covering surrounding the single cup portion pack, thereby sealing the single cup portion pack within.
 5. The single cup portion pack of claim 1, further comprising a plastic covering surrounding a plurality of the single cup portion packs, thereby sealing the single cup portion packs within.
 6. The single cup portion pack of claim 1, wherein the coffee filter comprises at least one of coffee grains, hot chocolate powder, and tea powder. 